I like the way Sheba sounds. Like a good dog, a bit old and frayed, but good nevertheless and the kind of dog you wish you could meet.

Peebee on the other hand, sounds like the kind of dog you'd be constantly throwing shoes at. And my boyfriend's fox terrier acts just like Cocoa, she's always humping the beagle's head or body and he's easily 3 times bigger. But he's just so damn dumb, I'm surprised he hasn't gotten himself stuck somewhere or just broke his neck that one time he fell down the stairs.

Coincidently, my dog Lucy is identical to Cocoa, save for the fact that she has two eyes and a much nicer disposition.

I have a Miniature Dachshund (or however you spell that) and she's really cool, just a puppy. My Mom, however, has a Pomeranian. Now his birth certificate says that he was breed in Siberia, but I assure you this little cretin was spawned in the deepest, darkest pits of hell. If I leave my room and keep the door open, he walks in and leaves a nice steaming shit on the rug, EVERY TIME. Sometimes he likes to walk in when I'm playing video games and start barking to distract me.

The worst thing is, my Mother thinks he's the most innocent, adorable creature to ever grace the world with his presence. He puts on his "Nice" act around her... In other words, say she's around, he acts all cute... But the moment she turns her head, he gives me the look that says, "Heh, see? She likes me better than you. I'm cuter than you." And whenever I'm trying to sleep, he starts barking. Every goddamn ******* time. But since my Mom loves him, when I say, "SHUT THAT DOG UP!" She replies with, "Oh, he's just excited!" ..Excited that he has another opportunity to ruin my day, most likely...

Peebee reminds me of a friends dog named Shadow. Shadow was probably the most dignified Golden Retriever in the world, until he opened his mouth. At which point he acquired a look of patient stupidity and unrestrained imbecile joy at whatever was going on around him. I remember throwing a ball to him- right to him, mind you, as I have excellent aim- only to have it bounce right off his nose. Whereupon he would become very much confused when another, smarter dog would invariably steal his ball. He has got to be one of the most friendly dogs in the world, though. Once, he was attacked by a pit bull. He didn't even bother retaliating, just got a look of helplessness and indignity at his situation. Survived, of course. Poor guy died a couple of months back, before Christmas. The spoiled little sister of my friend immediately demanded a replacement puppy. But no dog could replace Shadow. May he rest in peace.

I'll bet Peebee is still smarer than alot of humans I know. On an unrelated note, one of the funniest experiences of my life was watching a three-year-old filipino boy boxing the family dog into submission.

Now that's some good writing, both funny and emotional. I had a few pets in my life as well, but I believe some ancestor of mine was victim of some sort of gypsy curse or something, because no pet in my family has survived any longer than a full year. A female boxer was poisoned by a stranger, a cat was accidentally killed by her own vet, another cat broke her hip and was sacrificed, my ant's cat disappeared mysteriously, and my cousin's cat, who was spending a couple days at my home, almost died in a fire. I had a little fish who died in a week, he was swimming backwards and upside-down, and it was like a crossing between finding nemo and the exorcist.

Very nice piece, and with suitable pathos, concerning the elder shepard.

Speaking as one who has seen many dogs through their latter years (we tend to adopt older dogs from the SPCA) I can say, with confidence, that the loss of a pet is profound, gut-wrenching and life-altering. One cannot help but grow from the experience.

Ohh man, small internet or what? I'm FROM Union, lived there for 18 years of my life till I fled for college and never looked back. Hmm, can't say I met the dogs in question though, dunno if I'd want to have met the last two at that. Thoughtfully done Max as allways.

Ah, I lived near the Springfield border (near the bridge into Springfield) off of Maris Avenue, on Layton Drive. Honestly I never did keep track of the Mayors of Union, left back in 04 so I was about 18; bit young to care either way I suppose. Any hoo, Small world isn't it? Hell, for all I know we could have walked past each other at some point, that or I pissed you off at one time or another (I'd say that being far more likely.)